Fire escape apparatus



Nov. 21, 1961 J. E. WITEK 3,009,533

i FIRE ESCAPE APPARATUS Filed Jan. 15, 1960 2 sheets-sheet 1 .Mmmil IWW?.

Nov. 21, 1961 J. E. wlTEK PIRE ESCAPE: APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. l5, 1960 Patented Nov. 21, 1961 3,009,533 FIRE ESCAPE APPARATUS Joseph E. Witek, 2115 N. Winchester St., Chicago, lll. Filed Jan. 15, 1960, Ser. No. 2,635 4 Claims. (Cl. 182--70) This invention relates to fire escape devices and more particularly to a portable fire escape device which is adapted to be secured adjacent a window to pro'vide an escape means out of a building.

The various re escape devices which have been previously manufactured require that special fastenings be affixed to windows for supporting a flexible ladder which is let out exteriorly of a building on fire. If the window is not properly equipped, it cannot be used in conjunction with the devices in question. Also, the known devices require that the escaping person be physically capable of descending the ladder thus leaving disabled persons at the mercy of the fire without giving others in the vicinity of the building an opportunity to effect rescue.

The aforegoing disadvantages of fire escape devices are overcome by the present invention which also provides other additional features for providing an improved fire escape means.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a portable escape device which is housed within an attractive cabinet and adapted to be used in conjunction therewith adjacent a window opening.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fire escape device provided with a platform which is extendible exteriorly of the window opening and serves to support a person thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide a yfire escape device capable of supporting a plurality of flexible ladders suspended therefrom providing thereby multiple escape routes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fire escape device housed in a cabinet which is attractively finished to resemble a fine piece of furniture and is capable of being easily pushed against any window opening and which can be adjusted to the height of a window sill to permit facile extension of the platform out of the window.

The foregoing objects of the invention and additional features of novel construction will become apparent by perusal of the foregoing description in conjunction with the drawings; wherein the dis-assembled FIGURE 1 is a perspective View, partly cut away to disclose arrangement of components, of the improved re escape device constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional View through the fire escape device on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, showing the device in assembled position;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation View of the fire escape device shown in its operative disposition extending through a vwindow in a building wall; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the fire escape device extending through a window opening.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a fire escape device which is ordinarily stored in a dismantled state in a cabinet provided with casters for easy portability and with adjustable leg members for adjusting to the proper height of a window sill, said cabinet housing a platform of two or more sections which may be extended through the window exteriorly of the building, said platform being provided with means for abutting against a window frame and provided with additional means from which flexible ladders may be suspended therefrom.

Referring to FIGURES l and 2, the embodiment of the improved fire escape device 24 comprises an attractive cabinet 26 having a cover 28 mounted on a base 30 supported from a floor by legs 32 which are slidably attached by suitable means (not shown) to said base to permit limited movement for a purpose to be described later. The base 30 has affixed thereto longitudinal members 34 having mounted thereon runners 36 which slidably support a platform 38 having a base section 40 and an extendible section 42.

The base section 40 is maintained on the base 30 by members 44 and 46 which are affixed by suitable means to the longitudinal members 34. The members 44 and 46 have flanges 48 and 50, respectively, which overlap the top surface of the base section 40 along longitudinal edges thereof and permit said base section to be withdrawn to its substantially full length. Suitable means (not shown) prevent the base section from being removed completely out of its cooperative relationship with the base, unless intentionally desired.

Mounted on the top of the base section 40, which is preferably made of high strength metal such as steel, is a pair of sockets 52 and 54 which have central openings 56 for admitting detachable securing means or holding members 60 and 62 made of metal and having rod-like elements 64 extending substantially perpendicular therefrom.

A pair of handles 66, FIGURE 4, are mounted in brackets 68 which in turn are permanently aixed to the base section 40 of the platform 38. The brackets 68 have undercuts 70 (FIG. 2) which are deep enough to securely support therefrom flexible ladders 72.

Slidably disposed underneath the base section 40 of the platform 38 is the extendible section 42 supported by a pair of support rails 74 suitably affixed to the underside of the said base section. A slot 76 is disposed centrally along the longitudinal axis of the extendible section 42 and admits a stud 78 screwed into the base section 4'0, as readily seen in FIGURE 2. The slot 76 (FIG. 3) extends from one end of the middle portion of the extendible section 42 to the other end and defines the limits of movement of said extendible section with respect to the base section 40.

The free end of the extendible section 42 is provided with a handle mounted on brackets 92 which are secured to the top surface of the said section. The brackets 92 have identical undercuts as described lwith respect to brackets 68 forisupporting a flexible ladder 94.

When the fire escape device is in a stored condition, the various parts thereof are dis-assembled and placed on the base 30 and covered with the cover 28 as shown in FIG- URE 1. One of the ladders 72 i-s shown folded and placed in a box 73.

The embodiment of the invention may be modified to halve extendible legs 32', as shown in FIGURE 3, which legs can be adjusted and locked t-o a particular height corresponding to the level of a Window or other opening in a wall. The leg 32 comprises a leg portion 82 which is telescoped within a leg portion 80. Further, the leg 32 has at its free end a caster 84 to permit free movement of the re escape device 24 from one window to another or from one room to another.

A further modification of the present embodiment of the invention lies in havving the platform entirely removable from it-s cabinet, as shown in assembled condition in FIGURES 3 and 4. A catch (not shown) is provided for releasing the platform 38 from its secured engagement with the members 44 and 46.

The fire escape device 24 is placed into use by pushing it against a wall 86 having a window 88, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, removing the cover 28, placin-g the holding members 60 and 62 into sockets 52 and 54, grasping the handle 90 and pulling it outward to extend the platform 38, pushing it exteriorly of the window 88,

releasing the base section 40 from its secured engagement with members 44 and 46 to free the platform entirely from its original mounting, and pushing the device until the elements 64 engage the window frame 98. Subsequently, flexible ladders 72 and 94 are attachably secured from the handles 66 and 90.

In its extended condition, the platform is supported by the window sill 96 and the bottom of the window frame 98. In addition to the foregoing, the platform is amply supported by the holding members 60 and 62 and its elements 64 abutting against the window frame 98.

The lire escape device 24 may be used in an alternate manner wherein the platform 38 remains in engagement with the mounting on the base 30. Because of the dual adjustability of the legs 32', that is, the leg may be vertically adjusted so that the base 3i) clears the window sill 96 and may be adjusted in the horizontal plane with respect to the base 30, said base may be moved in overlapping relation to the window sill 96 so as to abut the window frame 98. In this position, the escaping person rst mounts the base 30 and then proceeds to crawl unto the platform 38 and its extended sections 40 and 42 projecting exteriorly of the window opening.

A person who is physically capable can escape from a burning building by entering on the platform 38, holding thereto by the handles 66 or 90 and descending on one of the flexible ladders, preferably made of metal.

A person who is not physically capable of descending the ladders, may sit for a considerable period of time on the platform 38 and can be assisted therefrom by persons who may employ various means to complete the rescue.

The fire escape device 24, exclusive of the cabinet 26, is preferably made of metal to provide a safe device from the stand point of strength and ilammability.

Although the foregoing description sets out in detailed manner the nature of the present invention and various modilications thereof, it is to be understood that constructional features may be varied without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention claimed hereinafter.

I claim:

l. A portable re escape apparatus comprising, in combination, a cabinet having a base and a pair of flange members oppositely disposed to each other and secured along a pair of respective edges on said base, a platform slidably disposed between said flange members for extension from said base, holding members detachably ailxed to the platform Opposite the extendible end of said platform and adapted to be placed against a wall adjacent a window opening when said platform extends exteriorly of the window opening, said platform having a width substantially corresponding to the width of the window opening, handle members affixedly secured to the platform, and flexible ladders in engagement with the handle members for suspension therefrom.

2. A portable re escape apparatus as claimed in claim l, said platform comprising a base section having, in its substantially extended position, a portion thereof engaged by the flange members, an extendible section slidably disposed with respect to the base section, means limiting the extension of said extendible section with respect to the base section, an additional handle member secured to the extended end of said extendible section and adapted to support an additional flexible ladder.

3. A portable lire escape apparatus as claimed in claim 2, said cabinet being supported by vertically adjustable members including rolling surfaces at one end thereof adapting said cabinet for transportable movement against any selected window opening at a predetermined height thereto.

4. A portable rire escape apparatus adapted for insertion through and with cooperative engagement with a window opening in a wall of a building, in combination, a platform of substantial width and length to support thereon a person, means detachably secured to one extremity of the platform for surface Contact with the wall, securing means rigidly affixed to the platform, said platform comprising a base section having a width substantially corresponding to the Width of the window opening, said securing means being attached to at least one of the platform sides extending normally to the window opening, an extendible section cooperatively engaged with the base section, additional securing means affixed to the extendible section at its free extremity, a transportable means comprising a cabinet including a base, a pair of members oppositely alxed with respect to each other along the respective sides of said base, said members having flanges extending inwardly of said base and adapted to slidably engage the base section, whereby said base section can be slid outwardly into the window opening, and ladder means attachable to said securing means.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 279,900 Wilson June 19, 1883 319,824 Kimmell June 9, 1885 1,370,732 Corbett Mar. 8, 1921 2,669,733 Picker Feb. 23, 1954 2,723,885 Dietz Nov. l5, 1955 

